臭老九

臭老九

Literally means:

the smelly ninth brother

Actually means:

the (stinking) intellectuals

This phrase is an extremely derogatory and disparaging term for the intellectuals during the Cultural Revolution in China (1966-1976). At that time, intellectuals were listed ninth among the ten most "despicable" classes of people (against whom the general public should fight).

This term is now only used to make fun of sb or when criticizing the Cultural Revolution. Derogatory.

文化大革命时期对知识分子表示极端轻视和讨厌的一种称呼。“臭”在这里表示把知识分子看成臭东西那样，讨厌他们。“老九”指当时知识分子的地位被排在中国社会最低层人群当中的第九位。

现在往往只在开玩笑或批评文化大革命时才使用。具有贬义色彩。